Spider in a Web of "Strings" (Project)

Printing a floating spiderweb mid-air and direct print a spider on it, all without support? Is it possible?

The original idea.

I can't remember exactly when this idea originated in my brain (probably short circuit), but after the many test prints and videos I made of this I thought it was fun to share. The first idea was to print an unsupported spiderweb (i.e. floating / made by bridging). It soon became apparent that with intersecting lines I was not able to influence the print order. 

When printing, a sequence was created by the slicer that the head was sent to the intersection and immediately afterwards to the next support point. For the web, this meant that the center immediately collapsed. So I couldn't avoid providing a (absolute minimum) support point there. Since I started with a web of Ø100, I therefore immediately set the web to Ø200 to maintain the same bridging distance of ±100mm.

The single support point is easy to break off and barely visible afterwards. 

The additional idea (could it be more challenging?)

After a few successful prints of single-wire models (without tweaking my default print settings) the even wilder idea arose to print a spider on the floating web. It soon became apparent that a single-wire model was too weak for this, so I switched to a 4-wire model (2 wires wide and 2 layers high).

Because the spider's legs had to rest on the layer with the circular threads (these are printed on top of the crossing threads), the legs had to be at exactly the same distance from the center equally spaced. Because there was no model of such a spider to be found, I designed a spider myself that fit well with this. The dimensioning is such that the legs rest on the intersections of circular and crossing wires for maximum stability achievable. The legs are at a maximum of 45° to ensure that the maximum overhang is not exceeded.

It was important when printing the spider on the spider web that the last layer (the circular threads) would have the same Z-height. To achieve this I played with the Bridge Flow Ratio and Printing Speed of Bridges. For me it was a Flow Ratio of 95% and a speed increase to 75 mm/s.

I achieved a surprisingly good result with printing in 1 color, but wouldn't it be nicer to print the web white or transparent and the spider black.... I still had glow in the dark filament lying around and so I start the next phase.

It soon became apparent that the glow in the dark filament was more difficult to print than normal filament. However, the milky semi-transparent look looked more appropriate as a web.

I had to tweak a lot more to get some good results. Also, the stability (stiffness) was less than the normal PLA which made printing the legs of the spider a real challenge. In the video you can see that the legs barely stay upright and stable. Despite that, the final result of this print also has something special. A more fearful looking spider perfectly suited to the upcoming Halloween.

I also modified the web, so that a bigger spider (150% of the original) could be printed.

The 3rd idea (the ultimate challenge?)

After printing the spider web and the spider suspended in the air, but just above the bed, it would of course be the ultimate challenge of printing this at some reasonable height as well. The disadvantage, however, was that the cooling would probably have less effect and the spider web would probably sag more again. I designed a minimal base to be able to print the spider web with spider at height. The first results of this can be seen at the end of the video. The idea was to eventually illuminate it from the bottom by means of LED lighting.

Model Files

Spiderweb with Spider V1 (above print Black with small spider)

Spiderweb with Spider V2b (above print Black / Glow in the Dark wires with bigger spider - shifted circular threads). Of this version, the spider web (5 circular threads) is saved separately as an STL file. 

Spiderweb with Spider V2c (print in Black / Silvergrey wires with small spider - double number of circular threads). Of this version, both the spider web (9 circular threads) and the spider are saved separately as an STL file. 

Spiderweb V3 is added only as STL files in total heigths of 75 & 41,5mm

What to expect with printing

The whole project is one big challenge. Both the bridging capabilities of the printer are tested, the overhang is tested on a very unstable platform (legs of the spider), stringing is tested by frequently controlling the nozzle when printing the legs (see stringing in the photos) and finally the temperature settings because the thin threads of the web and the base of the legs need to flow together / adhere in a good way. 

I suggest you start with the loose spider web. Print time is approximately 11-14 min depending on the 5 or 9 circular threads model. If this is successful, the model with the spider can be chosen (large or small). Print time is approximately 29-40 min depending on the model chosen. Finally, the model at height can be printed. However, these models have a printing time of several hours!

Have fun and enjoy the ride. I for sure did, and it's not over yet…

By the way: I actually found the stringing around the spider charming and appropriate to the theme, so I left it alone.

An impression of the process..

Coincidentally, it turned out that E3D's and I had the same basic idea. We only worked it out differently. I like his model,  why not try his model too, it's a bit easier and less nerve breaking, but looks so much better…

Win an ObXidian Nozzle! E3D's Halloween Competition 🎃

Information for print settings:

For more info about bridging see the help-page of prusa: https://help.prusa3d.com/article/poor-bridging_1802

Cover photo initial design: Designed by Freepik